The Odisha Shramajeebee Mancha, a people’s forum, has alleged that groundnut farmers have resorted to distress sale as the State Government is not procuring groundnut seeds from them.
The State Government is yet to procure groundnuts from the farmers. Due to lack of proper storage facility, they have started selling groundnuts at throwaway prices. “local retailers are purchasing groundnut seeds directly from farmers at a low price between `28 and `30 per kg against the Government price of `40,”said manch coordinator Anjan Pradhan in a Statement.
Terming the State Government as anti-farmer, he said, “While the Phailin has broken the financial backbone of farmers, the distress sale of vegetables and groundnuts has added to their woes only.”
He said an official of the Odisha State Agro Seeds Corporation told him that the State Government can procure groundnuts at a cost of `60 per kg but the farmers need to be registered first for the purpose. Quoting Markfed sources, Pradhan informed that the groundnuts procurement would be carried out only in seven districts in which Ganjam is not included. “This indicates the lackadaisical attitude of the State Government towards the farmer of Ganjam district,” he observed.